| Whether you are a college student or just horse | | | | both parties know the terms of the agreement |
| poor or both, there comes a time when your | | | | and if anything is to happen you have your |
| horse budget isn't always what you would like it | | | | agreement in writing. |
| to be. There are a lot of things you would like to | | | | Secondly, let's look at your horse's diet. You need |
| buy for your horse or need for your horse, but | | | | to consider what type of work your horse is |
| right now you can barely afford to feed both of | | | | doing and what his energy requirements are. An |
| you. Don't worry because there are many options | | | | adult horse only requires 8% crude protein diet |
| that you can explore. | | | | and this can be provided from a 100% hay diet |
| First, you might need to consider your current | | | | for maintenance on a horse that is lightly worked. |
| boarding situation. Depending on what part of the | | | | A younger horse is going to require a 10-12% |
| country you live in the cost of boarding is going | | | | crude protein diet depending on whether or not |
| to vary. Can you really afford full care boarding | | | | he is in training and being rapidly grown or not. If |
| right now or are you going to have to start doing | | | | you feed a balanced sweet feed with a good |
| some of the work? Find out if your current | | | | grass or alfalfa hay then you will be able to meet |
| boarding facility is willing to work with you. Will | | | | their energy requirements. If he seems to lose |
| they allow you to do partial-care board at a | | | | weight, gradually increase his feed a little more |
| reduced rate or pasture board? Will they let you | | | | until he stops losing weight. He certainly does not |
| help them in some of their daily duties and reduce | | | | require a fat added or high protein diet, unless he |
| your rent for your hard work? Is it time to move | | | | is doing intense work like roping, cutting or |
| your horse? Look for smaller facilities that meet | | | | jumping. Most feed stores carry a basic sweet |
| your needs, often they will have reduced rates | | | | feed that is 10-14% crude protein for $5 to $6 a |
| than other barns. Would you be willing to feed | | | | bag. |
| somebody else's horses for board? These options | | | | If you live in the West Texas or New Mexico |
| need to be researched and explored. I have been | | | | area, you know that we are in a drought and hay |
| successful in running ads in the Thrifty Nickel | | | | prices have soared. Not to mention the cost of |
| newspaper stating, "Will feed or ride for boarding." | | | | gas isn't helping much either. You can hardly find a |
| I currently board for free because I take care of | | | | round bale of Coastal grass hay for less than $75 |
| a couple's farm while they go out of town. | | | | out here. I suggest finding a hay wholesaler where |
| It works well for both of us and I have been at | | | | you can load the hay yourself out of the field or |
| this facility for two years now and have become | | | | a barn for less than what you would pay at the |
| great friends with the couple. Also, do you have | | | | feed store. If you have the space, stock up on |
| friends or family that have land or other horses? | | | | as much as you can for a few months. This will |
| Would they let you keep your horse there if you | | | | be expensive initially but it is better than buying it |
| help them out? Most importantly, always get an | | | | a few bales at a time. |
| agreement in writing. This helps in the fact that | | | | |